Why didn't Jodie Foster play Clarice in Hannibal & do you think it affected the film

[Brad123]

What reasons did Jodie Foster give for not playing agent starling in Hannibal. And do you think it affected the film.

[MasterYoda]

Well I thought Hannibal was pretty poor but not sure that was the reason :)

And I'm not sure this is one for the Gen Forum either

[Bapapapa]

DOn't know the reasons, but just reading the script must have played a rather big part in her decision.

Man, that film stunk.

:p

[Michael Brooke]

She didn't like the novel, she didn't like the script, and she didn't like even the revised ending.

I don't think it made one iota of difference, though - in fact, I prefer Julianne Moore in many respects (she's a better actress, for starters)

[MARKMAN]

Wasn't it so that she could direct "Flora Plum" which ended up not getting made anyway.

For the record - I REALLY like Hannibal.

[pythons]

I would have thought this was a movie forum question Brad! ;)


Anyway I think Julianne Moore was very good int he role, I didnt miss jodie Foster at all.

Hannibal isnt as good a film as SOTL, but i guess it's a totally different kind of movie.

In answer to your question though in my opinion Julianne Moore is a top actress, I liked her in Magnolia and a few other movies.

I think Hannibal benefitted from her being in it for sure!

[Sputnik]

Moving to DVD and Movie Forum :)

[Bolch]

You're not changing you mind now Brad123, it's already been posted :p

[jonathan.e]

It’s a pretty moot point isn’t it as Starling’s part in Hannibal was negligible and was really just there to play sidekick to the Lecter character. The film, like the book, was lousy and we’dve all been better off had Hopkins followed his initial post SOTL feelings and refused to do it.

Don’t even get me started on the appalling prospect that seems to be circulating re. re-making Manhunter.

[Letsgetdigital]

The Film was always going to be poor as it was based on such a poor book.

Foster knew that she'd be better remembered as Clarice in a successful film than a run of the mill sequel.

I do think that Ridley Scott did an excellent job in making the story bearable though...

[nc]

Don’t even get me started on the appalling prospect that seems to be circulating re. re-making Manhunter.

But wouldn't the major problem be that Hopkins would have to look younger than he was 10 years ago in SOTL?

[Michael Mackenzie]

I was led to believe Jodie Foster passed on it because she thought it was too violent -- more up-front gore than the psychological style of SotL. I think Julianne Moore did a good job -- to the extent that I actually forgot about Foster when I was watching it. Although I think she makes the character seem completely different, that didn't seem to matter. She also has a less annoying accent.

[theblairwitch]

What reasons did Jodie Foster give for not playing agent starling in Hannibal ?

Foster could read.

[mr_woo]

i dont know of Jodie Fosters reasons for not doing Hannibal but im rather glad she didnt do the film (just for the record i like this film a lot but still prefer Manhunter over both SOTL and Hannibal)

I also think Julianne Moore is a better actress plus the characters accent wasnt as overdone in Hannibal as it was in SOTL (yeesssh shir!) which really annoyed me

[RoyJones]

Was it me or did Hopkins get really fat as the film progressed.

Perhaps he had to many brains.

[GK]

I think Julianne Moore is the best screen actress we have at the moment and I'm happy to say that it's not just her rise to A list superstardom that led me to that belief. It must be over a decade ago now that the only thing that stopped me wincing through the whole of Benny and Joon was this fabulous, flighty performance from an actress I'd never even heard of.

In fact, John Patterson in today's Guardian Review, spot on as ever, waxes lyrical to the point of sychophancy over Jeff Bridges' career and the lovely Julianne is, I think, well on the way to matching the great man's enviable low-clinker record if what we've seen so far is anything to go by.

As far as Hannibal is concerned, she's the key for me.

("I call the agent of Judy Foster. He say to me, 'I have instruction. She no want to read the script if you no give her an offer of $20 million and 15% of the gross. And I say 'Give my love to Judy Foster, goodbye.'" Dino de Laurentis, Premiere, February, 2001.)

[APPRIA40WR]

Why didn't Jodie Foster play Clarice in Hannibal & do you think it affected the film


Cos she realised that it would be worse than the Silence of the Lambs (which was difficult but they managed it)?